Timber has long been a classic finish in any kitchen design style, from the traditional solid timber kitchen cabinets we all know and love to stunning modern timber feature cabinetry paired with a variety of finishes for maximum effect. Today we’re taking a look at a few different ways of incorporating timber in your new kitchen design that will suit every renovation budget!
In order of least to most expensive, the following options can all be used to introduce the warmth and texture of natural timber in your new kitchen. It should be noted that there specialty options in each category that can vary the cost of the material, making one finish more or less pricey than the next. In general though, you will find that the price tiers are as follows:
Laminate Kitchen Cabinetry ($)
Laminate kitchen cabinetry has come a very long way from its initial introduction. Laminates are now stronger and significantly more durable than ever before and are also available in an astonishing amount of colours, textures and finishes including a very realistic timber finish complete with natural-looking variations in tone, pattern and texture. Laminex kitchen cabinets for example, include honey, bleached and dark timber-look laminates that provide the warmth and texture of natural timber. They are very easy to keep clean and wear exceptionally well over time! Laminates offer an extremely cost effective alternative to natural timber and are suitable for all areas of the home from the kitchen to the bathroom or laundry and even custom designed joinery.
Vinyl Wrap Kitchen Cabinets ($$)
Quality vinyl wrap kitchen cabinets are another cost effective alternative to natural timber, sitting in between two pack and laminate cabinets on the pricing scale. Polytec’s timber-look vinyl wrap cabinet doors are available in flat door styles as well as decorative profiled styles (such as the popular shaker style cabinetry option) to suit all different kitchen design styles, something that is not achievable using a laminate cabinetry finish. It is important to keep in mind that when selecting a door style that is not a simple flat panel, there will be an additional cost involved so it is important to discuss your renovation budget with your kitchen designer or builder. The final product is a smooth or textured timber-look vinyl door that creates a modern feel in your kitchen. We highly recommend Polytec’s vinyl wrap cabinet options as in our experience, we have not had any issues with peeling or colours fading over time when installed correctly.
Timber Veneer Cabinetry ($$$)
Timber veneer kitchen cabinetry includes a slice of real timber applied to water resistant MDF boards that can be ordered pre-finished or raw. As with all natural products, timber veneer doors can vary from product samples in colour, texture and pattern, allowing a much more realistic timber kitchen cabinetry option when compared to laminates and vinyl wrap. Brands to checkout include Slice Veneers and George Fethers.
Solid Timber Kitchen Cabinets ($$$$)
Solid timber is of course, the priciest option in this list. You have the freedom of selecting from different species and cuts of timber, as well as doors featuring profiled styles to complete your look. Solid timber doors do lend themselves extremely well to classic and country styled kitchen designs but can also transition well to more modern looks (as demonstrated in the example above) when paired with different finishes. Once again, natural timber will always be different in colour, texture and pattern from the original sample as it is an authentic natural material. It is also important to seek expert advice on how to best clean and maintain solid timber kitchen cabinets over time to ensure the longevity of your new kitchen.
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